Gift fair raises £20k for Mountbatten

An incredible £19,500 has been raised at a gift fair in support of Mountbatten, which on any one day cares for 1000 Islanders and their families who are facing death, dying and bereavement.After months of planning by a very hard-working committee of volunteers, the event was held at Bembridge Sailing Club on the evening of Friday, 30 November and during the day of Saturday, 1 December 2018. Around 30 stalls selling unique and high quality gifts proved extremely popular with the visiting public, with around 500 people attending the event. There was also a raffle and lucky dip and homemade produce, including beautifully decorated Christmas cakes and festive fare. As well as ticket sales on the door, contributions were received from stallholders and generous donations given from those who weren’t able to attend the event.Rosamond Poncia, Mountbatten Trustee and Chair of the Gift Fair Committee said: “I would like to thank everyone who helped make the event such a huge success, from our committee who worked so hard and gave so much of their own precious time and support, to our wonderful sponsors – Weaver Brothers Funerals Directors, Wightlink, Spence Willard, GW Mattinson Construction, Rouse Ltd, Kendalls Fine Art and Coast and Country Marquees. I am also grateful to the stallholders, Bembridge Sailing Club, the Mountbatten team for their support and, of course, incredibly thankful to all those who gave a donation, chose our fair to purchase their Christmas gifts, and everyone who supported on the day.”Nigel Hartley, Mountbatten CEO, said: “Thank you to the Gift Fair committee for their incredible support, and everyone else involved in the gift fair from sponsors, to donors and those who came along. We are overwhelmed at the generosity of this donation, which will go a long way in ensuring we can continue to care for Islanders and their families when they need us most. Thank you to you all!”

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